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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the country's Terror-Free Türkiye process has reached its final stage during a speech commemorating the 954th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt) in Ahlat, Bitlis province.
"We have reached the final stage. With a little more patience, a little more effort, and certainly with care, we will pass through this stage as well and easily reach our intended destination," Erdogan said during the event organized by the Archers Foundation.
Speaking at the Ahlat Recep Tayyip Erdogan Nation Garden, Erdogan stressed the importance of national solidarity in achieving the terror-free goal.
"We will continue to walk with determined steps toward the Terror-Free Türkiye destination that disturbs and worries our adversaries, knowing confidently what we are doing and what we intend," the president stated.
The ceremony began with Quran recitation and featured Turkish, Seljuk and Palestinian flags, with the Gendarmerie General Command Mehter Band performing for attendees who accompanied national anthems with Turkish flags.
Erdogan highlighted Ahlat's historical importance to Turkish civilization, describing it as a symbol of eternal presence in the region.
"Ahlat is the symbol of our eternal and everlasting existence on these lands. For the Turkish nation, Ahlat is the key to Kizilelma," Erdogan said, referring to a historical Turkish concept of ideal governance.
He added that the tombs, mausoleums and monuments in Ahlat are not merely cultural assets but "the strongest witnesses of our thousand-year existence on these lands."
The president outlined his vision for the country's future, emphasizing the role of martyrs and veterans in shaping national values.
"We will tighten our ranks, strengthen our brotherhood, and renew our promise. We will repel all attacks targeting our unity and solidarity by standing shoulder to shoulder together," Erdogan declared.
He promised to build "a bright Türkiye where peace, tranquility and love are at the center" without letting down the legacy of martyrs and veterans.
The event was attended by Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli, Great Union Party (BBP) Chairman Mustafa Destici, Free Cause Party (HUDA-PAR) Chairman Zekeriya Yapicioglu, Democratic Left Party (DSP) Chairman Onder Aksakal, cabinet ministers, deputy party chairmen and regional governors.
Following his speech, Erdogan visited the Han Tent set up in the area with his accompanying delegation.
President Erdogan also expressed confidence that the current century would be remembered as the "Türkiye Century" in history.
"We will not fall into anyone's game or fall into the traps set on this path we have embarked on for a much more effective, respectable, prosperous Türkiye," he stated.
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